From heavy Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) packs, power tool batteries have gotten better! Today, lithium-ion (Li-ion) dominates by being the best and offering greater power and more use time than earlier. This guide dives into the technology, where we will cover the details. Learn what we have to say and get tips to help you choose!
Battery Chemistries: The Evolution
Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd): Largely obsolete, NiCd had issues like the memory effect and toxic components.
Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH): NiMH offered better energy but were vulnerable to overheating and self-discharge.
Lithium-ion (Li-ion): The dominant technology. They provide high power, and long usage while not experiencing any of the other problems that came before. However, there are smaller variations and different benefits for each.
Voltage Platforms: Matching Power to the Task
Power tool manufacturers now have different voltages (12V, 18V, 20V, 36V) to allow power to different tools, and there will be different problems. But you need to make sure that it isn’t too large and have good support.
Amp-Hour (Ah) Ratings: Your Runtime Indicator
A higher Ah rating equals longer battery runtime. Consider it gas. This helps heavy and light work to allow the tools to work longer
Choosing the Right Battery: Your Power Equation
To pick the right thing is about balancing the power and cost. What sort of power tool will it be? What's the usage? How much are you willing to spend?